US3890023A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
End panel support system
Assignee: Steelcase Inc
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Filing: 1974-10-11
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Granted: 1975-06-17
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Expires: 1994-10-11
Abstract
Abstract A furniture construction system wherein standardized 5 inch modular components are supported between special end panels. Cover members positioned over the end panels are provided with special releasable fastening means whereby the covers may be readily removed to provide access to the fastening mechanisms utilized to fix the panels and supported components, as desks, tables, and the like, together.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert G Mohr
- 👤 Ronald R Hodges
- 👤 Jack Hockenberry
- 👤 Douglas Scheerhorn
- 👤 Gale F Wilcox
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 08:26
CPC Classifications
A; A47; A47B; A47B21/00; A47B21/06; A47B17/00; A47B83/00; A47B83/001; A47B91/00; A47B91/02; A47B91/022; A47B91/028; A47B2200/00; A47B2200/07
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
150 words
A system for supporting one or a number of standardized furniture components as desks, tops, cabinets or the like comprising: a supported member; end panel members adapted to support said supported member; first securing means in said end panels and said supported members for releasably securing same together; cover members for said end panels; second securing means in said cover members and said end panels for releasably securing said cover to said panel; said panel having peripheral edge; an access opening through said panel peripheral edge; a removable access closure in said peripheral edge for covering said access opening; and actuator means on said second securing means for releasing said cover member from said end panel, said actuator means being accessible through said access opening when said access closure is removed from said peripheral edge whereby said cover member may readily be removed for access to said first securing means.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
150 words
A system for supporting one or a number of standardized furniture components as desks, tops, cabinets or the like comprising: a supported member; end panel members adapted to support said supported member; first securing means in said end panels and said supported members for releasably securing same together; cover members for said end panels; second securing means in said cover members and said end panels for releasably securing said cover to said panel; said panel having peripheral edge; an access opening through said panel peripheral edge; a removable access closure in said peripheral edge for covering said access opening; and actuator means on said second securing means for releasing said cover member from said end panel, said actuator means being accessible through said access opening when said access closure is removed from said peripheral edge whereby said cover member may readily be removed for access to said first securing means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
39 words
The system as defined in claim 1 and further including channels formed in said panel members, said channels being adapted to receive wiring therein between said cover and said panel; and wire access means formed in said decorative trim.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system of claim 2 in which said wire access means comprises said access opening.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
The system as defined in claim 1 and further including leveling means on saId panels, said leveling means extending from the bottom surface thereof adjacent said front and back surfaces.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
64 words
The system as defined in claim 4 wherein said leveling means include glide members extendible and retractable from said panel at said bottom surface; a stud member fixed to said glide member extending into said panel; and a nut threaded on said stud, said nut being captively held in said panel and rotatable therein to thereby extend and retract said stud and said glide.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
208 words
A system as defined in claim 1 wherein said second releasable securing means comprises a lock member slideably mounted on said cover and lock-engaging means on said panel adapted to engage with said lock member; said lock member comprising a bar slideably mounted in said cover, a plurality of tab members having engaging means thereon extending outwardly from said bar, and said lock engaging means comprising a plurality of tab-receiving slots formed in said panel adapted to lockingly engage with said engaging means on said tab members; said engaging means on each said tab member comprises a barb on said tab defining first and second shoulders on either side thereof, respectively, said first shoulder being positioned farther from said bar than said second shoulder; means on said tab for securing said bias means thereto; means on said cover for securing said bias means to said cover on either side of said tab whereby said tab will be locked in said slot either by said first shoulder or said second shoulder and said bar can be used with either a panel having no upholstery wrapped around its edges or a panel having upholstery simply by connecting said bias means to said cover on an appropriate side of said tab.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
35 words
The system as defined in claim 1 comprising: decorative trim positioned about at least the top and side edge portions of said panel peripheral edge; said access closure comprising a portion of said decorative trim.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
137 words
A system for supporting one or a number of standardized furniture components as desks, tops, cabinets or the like comprising: a supported member; end panel members adapted to support said supported member; first securing means in said end panels and said supported member for releasably securing same together; cover members for said end panels; second securing means in said cover members and said end panels for releasably securing said cover to said panel; and said end panel including an inner wall and an outer wall section, said inner wall having a generally flat, planar surface, said outer wall having flat planar peripheral edge portions and an outwardly formed central portion, said outer peripheral portions being secured to said inner wall and said central portions extending outwardly from said inner wall to thereby provide a rigid panel structure.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
137 words
A system for supporting one or a number of standardized furniture components as desks, tops, cabinets or the like comprising: a supported member; end panel members adapted to support said supported member; first securing means in said end panels and said supported member for releasably securing same together; cover members for said end panels; second securing means in said cover members and said end panels for releasably securing said cover to said panel; and said end panel including an inner wall and an outer wall section, said inner wall having a generally flat, planar surface, said outer wall having flat planar peripheral edge portions and an outwardly formed central portion, said outer peripheral portions being secured to said inner wall and said central portions extending outwardly from said inner wall to thereby provide a rigid panel structure.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
56 words
The system as defined in claim 8 and further including an outer peripheral edge extending outwardly from said inner wall section parallel to said central portion of said outer wall section, said central portion, said outer peripheral edge and said flat planar peripheral portions of said outer wall forming a wire-receiving channel in said end panel.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
230 words
The system as defined in claim 9 wherein said second securing means comprises a lock member slideably mounted in said cover and lock-engaging means on said outer wall adapted to engage with said lock member; said lock member comprises a bar slideably mounted in said cover, a plurality of tab members having engaging means formed thereon extending outwardly from said bar, and wherein said lock-engaging means includes a plurality of tab receiving slots formed in said outwardly extending central portion of said outer wall; biasing means for said lock member, said biasing means urging said tab members toward locked position with respect to said tab-receiving slots in said panel; said engaging means on each said tab member comprises a barb on said tab defining first and second shoulders on either side thereof respectively, said first shoulder being positioned farther from said barb than said second shoulder; means on said tab for securing said bias means thereto; means on said cover for securing said bias means to said cover on either side of said tab whereby said tab will be locked in said slot either by said first shoulder or said second shoulder and said barb can be used with either a panel having no fabric wrapped around its edges or a panel having fabric simply by connecting said bias means to said cover on an appropriate side of said tab.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-06-16 | 1978-12-16 | 1979-06-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-06-16 | 1982-12-16 | 1983-06-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-06-16 | 1986-12-16 | 1987-06-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |